Post by Bacchus Solomanos on Feb 3, 2013 8:28:11 GMT
Bacchus Solomanus stepped out from the palace for the first time as the morning rays slanted over the Imperial Square. The Imperial Council surrounded him. His 50 guards flanked his group closely, their weapons drawn and their eyes suspicious.
On either end of the massive staircase leading to the palace were the Excubitores who had pledged their loyalty to the new regime. Bacchus waited while a suitably sized crowd had been gathered, and then began speaking,
"People, Romans," he said as he raised his arms, not needing to wait as everyone's attention had been on him since he had entered the public area. "Last night was a tragic night. Our young emperor was struck down by a duplicitous man who he had long called friend. Flavius Belisarius, acting under the influence of Theodora, attacked and killed Emperor Justinian.
I was able to take these two usurpers into my custody, and with his dying breath Imperator Justinian Maximus Divus named his successor, Justin II, long live his name, and named myself as regent, Dictator de Interrex. The council has confirmed my position, along with my Master of the Horse.
These blatant attacks on Imperial Majesty were witnessed by myself, along with many of the armed men you see before you. There is no question to their guilt. Theodora is already dead, Belisarius has been sentenced. There will be no mercy given to those who support these two enemies of the state.
Over the next few days you will see a restructuring of the Imperial Court, as we weed out those who lack loyalty and to fill in any vacancies. I now declare a curfew, anyone found out in the city during dark hours will be subject to arrest, with a penalty to be determined by the presiding judge. Justin will be crowned Emperor in the next few months, after the Empire has been secured and his life is no longer in jeopardy.
This is not the time to panic, or to choose sides. We must unite behind this new Emperor, or suffer and perish in the conflict that comes in trying to usurp his power. Therefore I say, Long live Emperor Justin II!"
As he raised his arm to salute the new emperor, a scribe moved forward. "Long live Flavius Iustinus Iunior Augustus, Imperator de Romanus, Princeps de tribunitia potestas," he called, and the crowd repeated his chant.
On either end of the massive staircase leading to the palace were the Excubitores who had pledged their loyalty to the new regime. Bacchus waited while a suitably sized crowd had been gathered, and then began speaking,
"People, Romans," he said as he raised his arms, not needing to wait as everyone's attention had been on him since he had entered the public area. "Last night was a tragic night. Our young emperor was struck down by a duplicitous man who he had long called friend. Flavius Belisarius, acting under the influence of Theodora, attacked and killed Emperor Justinian.
I was able to take these two usurpers into my custody, and with his dying breath Imperator Justinian Maximus Divus named his successor, Justin II, long live his name, and named myself as regent, Dictator de Interrex. The council has confirmed my position, along with my Master of the Horse.
These blatant attacks on Imperial Majesty were witnessed by myself, along with many of the armed men you see before you. There is no question to their guilt. Theodora is already dead, Belisarius has been sentenced. There will be no mercy given to those who support these two enemies of the state.
Over the next few days you will see a restructuring of the Imperial Court, as we weed out those who lack loyalty and to fill in any vacancies. I now declare a curfew, anyone found out in the city during dark hours will be subject to arrest, with a penalty to be determined by the presiding judge. Justin will be crowned Emperor in the next few months, after the Empire has been secured and his life is no longer in jeopardy.
This is not the time to panic, or to choose sides. We must unite behind this new Emperor, or suffer and perish in the conflict that comes in trying to usurp his power. Therefore I say, Long live Emperor Justin II!"
As he raised his arm to salute the new emperor, a scribe moved forward. "Long live Flavius Iustinus Iunior Augustus, Imperator de Romanus, Princeps de tribunitia potestas," he called, and the crowd repeated his chant.